FLOODING fears have been raised after it emerged a parcel of land in a west Cumbrian village is being marketed for a 75-home development.

A plot between the Rise How industrial estate and the junction between Ryehill Road and the A596 in Flimby is advertised for sale by estate agent Grisdales.

The agent’s website says the site is suitable for a 75-home development and the price of the land, the former Flimby Lodge site, is available on application.

But councillor Peter Kendall, who represents the village on Allerdale and Maryport Town councils, said residents would oppose the plans.

“Shortly after Storm Desmond I went around the village with other councillors and we got over 500 petition letters which said there had to be no more development, housing or industrial, until such a time as there was a commitment to totally upgrade the sewage infrastructure, so that Flimby could handle water in extreme conditions,” said Mr Kendall.

He said the petition letters were handed to Allerdale Council after Storm Desmond caused flooding in Flimby in December 2015.

Mr Kendall said that when the Farmers Way development nearby was built, holding tanks were due to be included in the project.

However plans were later amended and Mr Kendall believes this exacerbated flooding around the area.

“I can’t see any commitment to upgrading the sewage system, we can’t cope with any more development without it and the school is also up to capacity - those are the major issues.

“I’m 100 per cent passionate about the village of Flimby and the people I represent.

“They have to be heard, but more importantly they have to be listened to.”

Grisdales described the site as a relatively level parcel of land, which is part grass and part wooded, extending to approximately 4.4 acres.

The agent said the land was identified in Allerdale council’s Local Plan as suitable for housing.

In its online advert it adds: “We understand that within discussions with Allerdale Borough Council it has been established that an indicative plan showing a layout to include 75 units would meet with favourable response subject to various conditions appropriate to a development of this scale.”

Allerdale Council confirmed an application had not yet been submitted for the site.

In September, Joy Chivers, Flimby Flood Action Group chairman, also said any future development in Flimby could lead to more flooding.

It came after a field between the Farmers Way development and Mason Terrace was advertised by Allsop Auctions Home as a freehold site with development potential.

The field, known in the village as ‘the swamp’ due to the amount of water that collects there, is a in a flood zone level two, a medium flood risk.